Framework

Includes the Mineral Resources Division's Policy Statement, principles and key features of our processes for the effective and efficient regulation of mineral exploration and mining in South Australia.

A mineral claim is a type of mining tenement under the Mining Act, and is an important step towards applying for a mineral lease. Establishing and registering a claim requires negotiations regarding land access and other authorisations, agreements and consents before pegging the claim.

This guideline sets out how you go about establishing and registering a mineral claim and what you can do on the claim once it is registered.

The generic PEPR for low impact mineral exploration in South Australia has been developed by the Department for Energy and Mining to ensure that low impact activities are conducted in a manner that will reduce any potential environmental impacts and facilitate the approval process.

In South Australia mineral exploration licence holders have a statutory requirement under the Mining Act 1971 and Mining Regulations 2011 to submit data and reports on their activities.

The statutory requirement for the submission of reports and samples is in place so that exploration progress, in accordance with licence conditions, can be assessed and the data obtained in the course of exploration can be effectively captured to ensure future availability to the exploration industry.

These guidelines have been produced to assist licensees in the preparation and submission of statutory reports and samples for mineral exploration licences in South Australia and to ensure integrity of data and compliance with the Mineral Resources Division's policies.

An expired, surrendered or cancelled mineral exploration licence areas may now be released to industry as an 'exploration release area (ERA)'. An ERA is released for a minimum 4-week moratorium period after which it is open for application from Monday to Friday (the application week) immediately following the moratorium period. Valid applications are now assessed via a competitive process rather than on a 'first come, first served' basis.

These guidelines discuss the Government of South Australia's Mineral Resources Division policies and procedures regarding ERAs, outline the predefined set of assessment criteria against which applications over an ERA will be assessed, and the competitive process for applying for an ERA.

By its nature, some drill core contains radioactive material. This document provides practical guidelines for staff and visitorsof the South Australia Drill Core Reference Library in the storage and handling of radioactive drill core.

A condition of the approval given for proposed drilling for minerals in South Australia is that mineral exploration licence holders provide the Department for Energy and Mining with geological samples obtained during the course of operations.

These guidelines provide advice on sample selection, quantities required, labelling and accompanying information that is required.

These guidelines have been prepared by the Department for Energy and Mining to provide guidance to explorers when conducting mineral exploration within South Australia, and to assist in the preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for submission and approval under the Mining Act and regulations.

Mining technical guidelines

MG5 Guidelines for miners: tailings and tailings storage facilities in South Australia (PDF 353 KB)Version 1.4, September 2009 - currently in revision to include provisions under the amended Mining Act

Describes the principles to be followed and desired outcome for tailings and tailings storage facilities (TSF) management, and outlines the process to be followed to ensure environmental, social and economic risks have been considered and will be appropriately controlled.

A joint publication of the Mineral Resources Division of the Department for Energy and Mining and the Environment Protection Authority South Australia (EPA).

All mining, petroleum and geothermal operations (other than exploration) that involve the clearance of native vegetation must be undertaken in accordance with a management plan that the Native Vegetation Council is confident will result in a significant environmental benefit.

This guide provides operators that undertake activities subject to the Mining Act 1971 or the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Act 2000 with an understanding of the process for obtaining approval to clear native vegetation and the significant environmental benefit requirements under the Native vegetation Act 1991 and Native Vegetation Regulations 2017.

Landscape function analysis (LFA) is a monitoring tool to qualify landscape sustainability. Mining lease operators can use the tool when developing a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) or a mine rehabilitation monitoring program.

Landscape function analysis (LFA) is a monitoring tool to qualify landscape sustainability. Mining lease operators can use the tool when developing a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) or a mine rehabilitation monitoring program. An overview of LFA and step-by-step guide in how to conduct LFA.

The document provides an overview of LFA and step-by-step guide in how to conduct an LFA.

Extractive minerals

Guidelines to assist with the preparation of a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for surface quarrying operations authorised under an extractive minerals lease (EML) and any associated miscellaneous purposes licence (MPL). The guidelines specify the minimum information required to be provided in the PEPR.

This guideline is exclusively for extractive minerals and has been prepared by the department to assist small-scale quarry applicants in preparation of a mining proposal (MP) required under section 35 the Mining Act 1971 that must accompany an application for an extractive minerals lease (EML) and program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) required under section 70B of the Mining Act for authorising operations on EMLs.

The holder of an extractive mineral lease or the owner of a private mine is responsible for rehabilitaion of that lease or mine. Contributions from a specified proportion of the royalty paid on each tonne of quarry product sold are paid to the extractive areas rehabilitation fund (EARF). EARF is administered by the Department for Energy and Mining and provides a mechanism to fund certain rehabilitation activities on extractive mineral sites.